High Cholesterol and Children
January 19th, 2012 | 
Author: There is an epidemic of obesity affecting our children. worry is so high that schools are changing lunch menus as well as getting rid of candy and soda machines. The government is working to educate families about high cholesterol and children by encouraging healthy diets and utilize.
But what happens to the child who is already obese? There are sure health concerns but one in particular is cholesterol levels. Should there be grief that a child could have a heart attack because their cholesterol is so high?
The television has often been called the ‘electronic babysitter’ since it’s introduction in the 1950′s. Today the TV has hundreds of channels, gaming systems and movies on request, leaving the bicycle and basketball to score dust in the garage.
Also, if the TV is on, a snack is a must. Potato chips, candy, and other foods high in saturated and trans fats are approved after school snacks to spy cartoons with. All this combined with “on the go” foods such as quick food and TV dinners are increasing cholesterol levels in children at an alarming rate.
Children with a family history of high cholesterol levels are more likely to have increased levels as an adult. The scrape is that since there is also an epidemic of childhood obesity due to many of the reasons already mentioned, those levels are increasing earlier in life. Because of this, children at high risk should have their cholesterol levels checked for the first time between the ages of 2 to 10 then again every 3 to 5 years after that.
For children at high risk, a diet and exercise program is usually the first line of treatment. It’s recommended that children are active for at least 30 minutes every day, sever their dietary cholesterol to 200 milligrams a day (the equivalent of 1 egg), as well as chop or eliminate saturated and trans fats from the diet.
In definite cases, cholesterol-reducing medications can be prescribed to children over the age of 8, although most medicines are held off until at least the teenage years.
Every child deserves the chance to be healthy from the start. Regardless of the parents’ health, children should be taught to follow a healthy lifestyle from birth. objective remember it’s never too early to be concerned about high cholesterol and children.
Related posts:
Posted in 
Tags: